Wichita eagle., 1887-08-19
NORMAL NOTES.
THURSDAY.

In the cleaning Of the morning, ere the
golden glimmer of the dawBing day had full
| ly dispelled the mists and murky darkness
four figures could have been seen resolutely
| pursuing their way to the institute
building.
They were the conductor and instructors
With deep-laid schemes for accomplishing
more work they began the duties Of the
day.
| Teachers were on time.
| As the institute progresses, each one can
more plainly see its good results.
| All have been benefited In some specia
| way.
Every day we have new accessions.
| The geography class had an interestir {
lesson on the resources and products of the
| United States. Definite facts were called fol
by the teachers. Also special location of Goa
fields, ETC., etc., and the par ocular and staple
products of the different states.
We believe they decided that Missouri fur
nished the most brass. But we either imag
| ined or dreamed or it was fact. that We
heard one dissenting voice.
The old-time subject of spelling was taken
up by the class in methods.
Could our ancestors of three generations
back have been with US they would not
have understood the situation. With them
spelling was mastered by the methods around
which chung and clustered the hoary tradi
tions of ages.
The iconoclastic hand Of progression has
destroyed more than one of the pedagogue's
idols.
Great inovstions have been made upon
the spelling classes.
The members of the institute presented. in
dividual methods which were ably criticised.
Two points were prominent-the ortho-
graphy of a word should not be taught indie
pendent Of it's use and meaning; a judicious
blending Of the written and oral methods
should be used in teaching,
Theireason for the last is that in this man
ner we appeal to the three most important
senses-sight, hearing and touch.
Subject in physiology was respiration.
The effects of carbonized air was shown by
a familiar illstration. Its injury to the
human system when taken into the lungs
was thus MAIDS plain. The philosophy Of
respiration was afterward explained.
The exercise in reading was one Of the best
to which we ever listened. Form, quality,
movement. tone and pitch we're well illustra-
ted by different selections. We think the
instructor in this branch proficient and thor
ough in all his work.
The conductor with the assistance of Prof.
South placed upon the board daily pro-
gramme for country schools. After discus
sion upon its order and arrangement we
noticed that many teachers took copy of
it. We hope that it will be given a fair
trial
Some of our visitors were those who had
called before. We are glad to see this indi
cation Of their interest. Besides these were
Prof. j. A. Butcher, principal of Mulvane
schools, and Prof E. w Mills, superintendent
Of Dighton schools.
Pres. Taylor will lecture for us on the 10Th
inst
Those teachers who decided not take
special instructions in kindergarten works
met Miss Haley in the afternoon.
The class in the parliamentary law promi-
ses to develop some legal giants.
Among the good things In store for us is
social.
We have one pathetic request to make of
Prof McNeil--let the time of the social de-
pend upon the behavior Of the thermometer
In other words wait till the weather loses its
spinal column.
We appreciate the efforts of the superin-
teEdent to do SO much for the teachers of his
county. He working fer the interests and
elevation of the schools over which
De has supervision.
But the way he rushes around over the
building here, there and everywhere harrows
10 the feelings of this reporter. 1t really
makes us perspire and destroys our mental
equilibrium.
The days work closed with our military
irill.
We went home bordering upon the vicissi- |
udes Of life and wondering if those of us
Who should go through the institute work |
would be classed among Darwinians as "a
urvival of the fittest"